Reverend Angelia Tuft Early is a native of Shelby, North Carolina; she was educated in the Cleveland County, North Carolina Schools. She received an Associate of Arts Degree in Religion from Agape Bible College, Gastonia, North Carolina. She accepted her call into the ministry and preached her initial sermon “You Have Been Born Once, But Have You Been Born Again” in 1991 at The St. James Baptist Church. She was ordained by the Gaston Baptist Association in 1999. She worked diligently serving as the Assistant Pastor and the Past Orientation Director, Director of Couples Ministry, and Sunday School Teacher. Rev. Early is currently a member at Concord Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. under the ministry of Dr. Michael Bridges, Senior Pastor where she also currently serves as a Sunday School teacher and Young Adult Ministry Advisor.
In the community, Rev. Early has served as a Clergy Assistant for the Gaston Memorial Hospital and as a Volunteer for the Dallas Correctional Facilities. She is also trained as a Chaplain for Gaston Hospice and a volunteer for Wendover Hospice of Shelby. Additionally, Rev. Early served on the board of City Council as a Commissioner in the town of Grover, NC from 2013 – 2019.
Rev. Early has been married to her best friend, Deacon Eugene Early, Jr. for over thirty years. They have two children, Larie Carthen and Justin Early. They also have three grandsons, and a son-in-law, Shon Carthen.
Motto: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”